From Cape Town to Cape Town!

4. January 2016

The ideal Karoo & Garden Route road trip itinerary if you only have a week.

Day 1: Start in Cape Town driving via Stellenbosch and Paarl on the R101, through Du Toits Peak and Worcester, stop for the night in quiet and chilled Robertson or Montagu. Stop for vinyards along the way and enjoy the rustic scenery of the karoo. Possible places to stay on day 1: Die Tolhuis, Koo Karoo, Mountain View Lodge

+/- 220 km

Day 2 : From Montagu drive on the R62 via Barrydale and Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn. Make sure you take a photo in front of Ronny’s Sex Shop and check out all the bra’s hanging from the ceiling inside the bar! Drop by at Dario and Carmens ostrich farm for the night and tell them I said hi 😉+/- 240 km

Day 3 : Have a little adventure after breakkie and drive up the Swartberg Pass. After that drive the R328 via Oudtshoorn and back on the beautiful scenic Route 62to George and via Wilderness down to the coast, driving a long and relaxing drive to the cosy coastal town of Knysna. Sleep at the bamboo guesthouse or Inyathi Guest Lodge (self-catering).

+/- 220 km

Day 4 : Spend the day in Knysna. It’s a beautiful place with a lot of scenic views and nice beaches. Check out Knysna Heads, Brenton on Sea and the Knysna Lagoon! Also, make sure to plan in a little time for the hinterland – there are some beautiful forests waiting to be explored! Before the sun sets, drive the 90 k’s to Mossel Bay, spending the night sleeping in an old train wagon next to the beach.

+/- 93 km

Day 5 : You don’t want to waste any time in Mossel Bay – we found it to be a pretty boring place. Drive via Albertina, Riversdale and Swllendam close to De Hoop Nature Reserve, where you can spend the night. Sleep here or here.

+/- 250 km

Day 6 :Driving from de Hoop Natur Reserve down the beautiful coastal route via Pearly Beach. Make sure to stop at Hermanns – if it is Wale season, you should consider spending a night here, if not a lovely lunch in the sun will probably do. From Hermanus drive via Kleinmond and Pringle Bay to Betty’s Bay (you can watch penguins here if you like!) Spend the night here or drive back to Cape Town.

+/- 180 km

Day 7 : Back in Cape Town! For a guide on what to do in my favorite city, click here!

If you have more time, you should absolutely plan in a visit to Addo Elephant Nationapark North of Port Elizabeth. If you want cheap and down-to-earth accommodation and make a self-drive in the park, consider sleeping at Orange Elephant Backpackers and have a cold beer at thirsty herd’s pub. Please tell John, Josh and Caitlyn I said hi!

Also, even if you don’t make it that far, you should definitely consider a visit to a privately owned game reserve to get your wildlife-fix for this holiday!